@heavyphil My RO seems to be of the mind of dealing with problems as they arise, rather than giving upfront information, as Sloan did for you (good on Sloan!). I spoke to her yesterday about the “gas in the rectum” issue, specifically saying that the only thing I was told was that I should try to have a bowel movement every day. No discussion of gas. I showed her the document from the VA too, that covered nutrition during RT in great detail. Her response was ‘we have something like that too, if you want it’. When I again emphasized that a heads up about gas in the rectum would have been helpful a couple weeks before initiating RT, her response was ‘I don’t like to overwhelm patients with information while they are coping with a cancer diagnosis’. On one hand, I sort of see her point, but I’m not that kind of patient and for me, withholding info just shows mistrust. Furthermore, how is a one sentence mention of “empty rectum means both empty of both stool and gas” so overwhelming? Well, I had may say, and I’m moving forward armed with better knowledge now, with much credit to you and this support group.

The good news is that yesterday. after a few tweaks to my high-fiber diet, the treatment went off without a hitch, and the radiation therapist gave me a double thumbs up. I’m sure it won’t be perfect every day, but at least I know now what I should have known at least two weeks ago and am getting my prep dialed in.

Btw, I’ve been taking a Senna-S tab every evening, starting over a month ago, and that seems to be doing the trick for staying regular. But I have the Healthy Fiber in my shopping cart if I need it. Thanks for the tip.